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(No Model.)

L. M. JOHNSON. WIRE TIGHTBNER.

No. 481,763. Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAFAYETTE M. JOHNSON, OF SENECA, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT BRIGGS, OF SAME PLACE.

WIRE-TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 481,763, dated August 30, 1892.

Application filed April 9, 1892. Serial No. 428,509. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LAFAYETTE M. J OHN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seneca, in the county of Newton and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinIVire-Tighteners;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myinvention relates to anewandimproved wire-twisting device, more especially intended for taking up the slack of wire fences, and also adapted to be used as a bale-hook for I 5 handling baled goods, meat, &c., and has for its object to produce a tool of the character described which can be manufactured at a small cost and be of a strong and durable nature.

To these ends my invention consists in a tool constructed substantially in the manner hereinafter fully described, and afterward definitely pointed out in the claim, due reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved tool; Fig. 2, a View showing the manner in which the preliminary twist or bight is made, and Fig. 5 a similar View showing the manner in which the final twist is given to the fence-strand.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates the shank of the tool, which is pro- 5 vided with a handle B, either cast integral therewith or consisting of a separate piece, which may be fitted thereto in the same manner as the ordinary auger-handle, and the other end of the shank A terminates in a re- 0 duced and preferably tapered end C, which lies in substantially the same plane as the shank A.

Extending from the shank A, and preferably starting from the base of the tapered end 5 portion 0, is a curved hook D, which is gradually tapered until it terminates in a point d, the body portion of said hook lying in the same plane as the end portion 0, but the end portion (1 being deflected to one side, as shown, and for the purpose hereinafter described.

In using the device to tighten or take up the slack occurring in wire fencing the forked end of the tool is caused to embrace or straddle the wire strand,the tapered end portion 0 resting upon the top of the strand, and the tool is then given a half-turn, which forms a double bight in the strand, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and drawing the wire taut between the posts of the fence. The tool is then drawn awayfrom the wire until the end portion O slips from without the bight formed therein, and is then turned or rotated in the same direction, the deflected end (Z of the hook D engaging the wire, and as the rotation or turning of the tool is continued the wire is twisted, as shown in Fig. 3. This operation maybe repeated at suitable intervals throughout the length of the fence, if necessary, and will serve to effectually take up all the slack occurring from the expansion and stretching of the wire. In fences Where staples are employed to bind the wire strands to the posts the staples may be first slightly loosened before taking up the slack in the strands.

It will be manifest that the device may also be used asabale-hook to handle baled goods, meat, and other heavy and bulky substances conveniently Without impairing its usefulness as a wire-twisting device.

Having described my invention, what I claim is I A fence-wire-tightening device consisting of a shank A, provided at one end with a handle B and at its otherend with a tapered portion O and hook D, the end d of said hook being bent or deflected to one side, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LAFAYET E M. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

W. W. CLARK, C. SETTERSTRAM. 

